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Angels Continue To Pursue Pitching

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The Angels could shift their focus away from top free agent starting pitching and pursue relief depth if Zack Greinke’s asking price increases beyond their limit, Mike DiGiovanna of the LA Times reports. Adding Japanese right-hander Kyuji Fujikawa to the bullpen might provide the Angels with enough depth to avoid spending on Greinke and other free agents whose asking prices could increase when Greinke signs.

Instead, DiGiovanna writes, the Angels might pursue less costly starters such as Ryan Dempster and Joe Saunders. They appear to have interest in Dempster, who seeks a three-year contract.

The Angels are one of the top suitors for Greinke, along with the Dodgers, Nationals and Rangers, Jim Bowden of ESPN.com and MLB Network Radio reports (all Twitter links). However, the Angels haven’t made a play on Anibal Sanchez or Kyle Lohse, according to Bowden. The Angels, Rangers, Red Sox and White Sox are among the teams in play for free agent reliever Mike Adams, Bowden reports.

Brewers, Red Sox, Angels Interested In Dempster

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The Brewers, Red Sox and Angels are among the teams showing interest in Ryan Dempster, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports (on Twitter). The free agent right-hander seeks a three-year contract.

Dempster, 35, posted a 3.38 ERA with 8.0 K/9, 2.7 BB/9 and a 43.5% ground ball rate in 173 innings for the Cubs and Rangers in 2012. The 15-year veteran saw his average fastball velocity dip below 90 mph, but he continued generating swings and misses. His 10.4% swinging strike rate was right around his career mark of 10.8%. LSW Baseball represents Dempster, who has also been linked to the Dodgers, Twins and Cubs this offseason.

Marlins Could Pursue Center Fielder

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The Braves just added a high-profile center fielder, and the Phillies and Nationals have also been connected to the top options available, but those aren’t the only NL East teams exploring the outfield market. The Marlins also need a center fielder and “would love” to acquire Peter Bourjos from the Angels, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (on Twitter). However, a deal for Bourjos remains unlikely, so the club could pursue a free agent such as Nate McLouth.

Justin Ruggiano hit .313/.374/.535 in 320 plate appearances while playing all three outfield positions this past season and he represents one internal center field option for Miami. The 30-year-old responded to Rosenthal’s tweet and explained that the Marlins don’t need to acquire a center fielder. “I got this,” Ruggiano wrote. Giancarlo Stanton and Juan Pierre project as Miami’s corner outfielders. 

If the Mets non-tender Andres Torres as expected tomorrow, they’ll also be in the market for a center fielder. New York will presumably pursue multiple outfielders this offseason, though the Mets are expected to look for bargains instead of spending at the top of the market.

Quick Hits: Greinke, Brewers, Hanrahan, Hochevar

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The second episode of Rosters and Rumblings, the new podcast featuring MLBTR's Ben Nicholson-Smith and Jason Martinez of MLB Depth Charts, was recorded today. Check out the podcast for analysis of B.J. Upton’s deal with the Braves and the recent contracts for pitchers such as Scott Feldman, Ryan Madson and Andy Pettitte. Here's the latest around the league as Wednesday turns into Thursday…

  • ESPN's Jayson Stark gets the sense that the Zack Greinke bidding won't get serious until the Winter Meetings start in Nashville next week (Twitter link).
  • “We’re making contacts right now … There are a lot of relievers still out there. They sit there and wait until the big guys sign," said Brewers GM Doug Melvin to MLB.com's Adam McCalvy when asked about the team's pursuit of bullpen help.
  • Pirates closer Joel Hanrahan could be on the trade block at the Winter Meetings next week according to Rob Biertempfel of The Pittsburgh Tribune Review (on Sulia).
  • After speaking to people within the organization, Bob Dutton of The Kansas City Star doesn't expect the Royals to non-tender Luke Hochevar (Twitter link). They are shopping him in trades though.
  • Mike DiGiovanna of The Los Angeles Times hears that Japanese free agent reliever Kyuji Fujikawa prefers to pitch for the Angels or Cubs, though the Diamondbacks are still a possibility as well (Twitter link).
  • Minor league free agents can pay big dividends, writes MLB.com's Andrew Simon. He notes the performances of Gregor Blanco and Quintin Berry, who helped the Giants and Tigers to the World Series this year after signing minor league deals, respectively.

Contract Details: Madson, Hunter, Longoria

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Here are some details on three recently-signed contracts…

  • Ryan Madson's one-year contract with Angels will pay him $500k each for 45, 90, 135, and 180 days on the roster as long as he is not on the DL with a right arm injury, reports Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. He will also receive $250K each for 35, 40, 45, and 50 games finished.
  • Torii Hunter's two-year, $26MM contract with the Tigers is slightly backloaded, reports MLB.com's Jason Beck. He'll earn $12MM in 2013 and $14MM in 2014, plus $100K bonuses for each All-Star selection, Gold Glove, Silver Slugger, LCS MVP, and World Series MVP he wins.
  • Evan Longoria's salary for 2013 has been reduced from $6MM to $2MM as part of his new contract with the Rays, reports Marc Topkin of The Tampa Bay Times. The remaining $4MM was converted into a signing bonus. Topkin also has information on the deferments and escalator clauses in the deal.
  • The players' union values Longoria's new contract with the Rays at ten years and $131MM according to Rosenthal (on Twitter). The present day value ($136.6MM) has been reduced due to deferred money.

SoCal Links: Walden, Angels, Fujikawa, Field, Kuroda

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The Angels finalized their contract with Ryan Madson today, but here's some more out of Southern California…

Angels To Sign Ryan Madson

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WEDNESDAY: The deal is expected to be worth $3.5MM in guaranteed money, plus $2.5MM in roster bonuses and $1MM in incentives for games finished, Yahoo's Tim Brown writes (Twitter link). Madson passed his physical, Mike DiGiovanna of the LA Times reports (on Twitter).

TUESDAY: The Angels have agreed to sign Ryan Madson to a one-year contract, Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com reports. The deal is pending a physical.

Madson, a client of the Boras Corporation, missed the 2012 season to undergo Tommy John surgery. In parts of nine seasons with the Phillies from 2003-11 the 32-year-old posted a 3.59 ERA with 7.8 K/9, 2.7 BB/9 and a 47.7% ground ball rate. His numbers improved once he settled into a late inning relief role, and he evolved into an impact closer by 2011, when he posted a 2.37 ERA with 9.2 K/9, 2.4 BB/9 and a 48.8% ground ball rate in 60 2/3 innings. The Long Beach, California native had an average fastball velocity of 94.0 mph in 2011, his last full season before undergoing Tommy John surgery.

The Angels had been looking for relief help, but didn't want to commit significant long-term dollars for a closer. GM Jerry Dipoto told the LA Times earlier this offseason that spending big on relievers is like "going to Las Vegas and throwing it down on double-zero green." Assuming the Angels rely on Madson as their closer, Ernesto Frieri would move into a setup role.

The Phillies and Reds also showed interest in Madson, according to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com. Madson's contract with the Reds included an $11MM mutual option for 2013, which he declined in favor of a $2.5MM buyout. Madson ranked 36th on MLBTR's list of top 50 free agents this offseason.

Heyman first reported the Angels were nearing a one-year deal with Madson.

Zack Greinke Rumors: Tuesday

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Yesterday, we learned that the Dodgers have started asking about Zack Greinke and the rival Angels already view them as their biggest threat to sign the hurler away.  Here's the today's news on the right-hander with the latest up top..

  • One person involved in the talks believe that Greinke's deal will eclipse C.C. Sabathia's seven-year, $161MM deal, according to Buster Olney of ESPN.com (via Twitter).
  • The Angels are now unlikely to retain Greinke, sources tell Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com.  The Halos still don't have a No. 3 starter in support of Jered Weaver and C.J. Wilson but according to one person familiar with their plans, "It won't be Greinke."  The Angels were once the frontrunners to sign Greinke, but they appear unwilling to shell out the kind money that it will require.
  • Meanwhile, the Dodgers are considered the frontrunners for the right-hander according to a source familiar with the negotiations, tweets Jim Bowden of ESPN.com.  However, nothing is completed between the two sides.

Angels, Ryan Madson Nearing Deal

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11:56am: The deal is expected to be formalized after Madson takes his physical later today, reports MLB.com's Alden Gonzalez (on Twitter). It is a low-base salary, incentive-laden contract.

7:18am: The Angels are nearing an agreement with free agent right-hander Ryan Madson, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports. The sides appear to be nearing a one-year deal that would make Madson the Angels' new closer.

Madson, a client of the Boras Corporation, missed the 2012 season to undergo Tommy John surgery. In parts of nine seasons with the Phillies from 2003-11 the 32-year-old posted a 3.59 ERA with 7.8 K/9, 2.7 BB/9 and a 47.7% ground ball rate. His numbers improved once he settled into a late inning relief role, and he evolved into an impact closer by 2011, when he posted a 2.37 ERA with 9.2 K/9, 2.4 BB/9 and a 48.8% ground ball rate in 60 2/3 innings. The Long Beach, California native had an average fastball velocity of 94.0 mph in 2011, his last full season before undergoing Tommy John surgery.

The Angels had been looking for relief help, but didn't want to commit significant long-term dollars for a closer. GM Jerry Dipoto told the LA Times earlier this offseason that spending big on relievers is like "going to Las Vegas and throwing it down on double-zero green." Assuming the Angels rely on Madson as their closer, Ernesto Frieri would move into a setup role.

The Phillies and Reds also showed interest in Madson, according to Heyman. Madson's contract with the Reds included an $11MM mutual option for 2013, which he declined in favor of a $2.5MM buyout.

Mike Axisa contributed to this post. This post was first published on November 27th.

Zack Greinke Rumors: Monday

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MLB executives see Zack Greinke obtaining a deal of at least six years for as much as $25MM per season, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports. It’s possible the free agent right-hander will obtain a deal worth $150MM and establish a new record for right-handed pitchers. Matt Cain’s deal, worth a total of $127.5MM for six years, now represents the largest contract obtained by a right-hander, and C.C. Sabathia’s seven-year, $161MM contract represents the largest deal ever obtained by a pitcher. Here’s the latest on Greinke…

  • Dodgers people have started asking about Greinke, and their Los Angeles area rivals remain interested, too. Angels executives want to re-sign Greinke and have seen the Dodgers as their biggest threat, Heyman writes. The Angels would consider paying pitchers more per season than Jered Weaver on a “case-by-case” basis. Weaver earns $17MM per season on the deal he signed last summer.
  • While the Rangers and Nationals could also bid on Greinke, the Red Sox appear to be shying away from him. The Royals and Brewers, Greinke’s former teams, would love to have him back, according to Heyman.
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